Basic Terms and Definitions
Streaming Streaming is a means by which audio and video files are delivered across a network or the Internet without downloading the entire file before it plays. The streamed file is not stored on your computer.
Buffering Buffering is the process through which the sending of a certain amount of information (file) is partially downloaded and stored in a buffer before the media begins to play. This process continues as more information is streamed to the Windows Media Player. This process protects against the break-up of the data flow.
Bandwidth Bandwidth is a networks capacity for transferring an amount of data in a given time.
Broadcast Broadcast is the method by which a client receives a stream, but the client cannot control the stream.
Cookie A Cookie is a piece of data placed by the server on a clients computer that identifies the client for future connections.
Encoding The conversion of audio and video content to a specific digital format is called encoding.
Firewall A Firewall is a combination of software and hardware that maintains a boundary between two or more networks that prevents unauthorized access to a private network.
HTTP Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) is the Internet method by which information is delivered over the World Wide Web.
Loop A loopis the continuous repetition of a stream.
Player A player is a client program or control that receives digital media content streamed from a server or played from local files.
Plug-In A plug-in is a type of auxiliary software component that extends or enhances the features of other software.
Proxy Server A proxy server is a server located on a network between client software, such as a web browser, and another server. It intercepts all requests to the server to determine whether it can fulfill them itself.
Skin A skin is a user interface that provides an alternative appearance and customized functions for software. An example of a skin is Windows Media Player.
Visualization A visualization is a graphical display that changes in response to the audio signal. An example of a visualization can be viewed in Windows Media Player.